The route began on the 7th October 1951, and provided a Monday to Saturday to service. The Cannon St, Southwark Bridge, Elephant, Camberwell Green, East Dulwich, Dulwich(MS peaks) Forest Hill (M-F except peaks). The route was operated at Walworth Garage by RTL type buses. The current PVR was Monday to Friday 10RTL and Saturday 7RTL. By the 25th June 1956 the route was joined up with route 176. On the 17th October 1956 the route was extended from Forest Hill to Catford. The route was Monday to Friday ran from Cannon Street to Catford Garage and Monday to Saturday peaks ran from Dulwich to Cannon Street. On the 26th November 1958 the Saturday operation was withdrawn and RTW type buses were being introduced to the 176A.

By October 1960 the RTL type was withdrawn and replaced by RTW type buses. On the 27th January 1965 the route was revised, Cannon Street - Dulwich(MS peaks) – Forest Hill/Lewisham(MF journeys) Journeys beyond Forest Hill diverted at Catford to Lewisham. Later on in December the RTL type buses were introduced again. By August 1966 the RTL type buses were replaced by RT type buses. 10 years later on the 21st March 1976 the route was converted to Routemaster operation. The route was revised again in September 1977, Mansion House Station - Dulwich (MF peaks) – Forest Hill(journeys). On the 4th September 1982 the 176A was withdrawn.